RWANDA Athletic Federation (Raf) has picked 20 athletes for this year’s Africa Cross Country Championships set for March 16 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, Uganda.

Speaking to Times Sport yesterday, Raf’s technical director Jean Pierre Ndacyayisenga confirmed that Rwanda will compete in the men and women senior races as well as the junior category.

The Africa Cross Country Championship, which brings together the crème of runners from various countries, is one of the continent’s most competitive athletics competitions.

"We picked the top performers at the National Cross-country Championships and we believe that they are good enough to stage a good show in Kampala,” Ndacyayisenga said.

He added, "This is also an opportunity to assess their level of competitiveness as we bid to prepare them for next year’s World cross country championship.”

The national team is expected to start camp in Shorongyi this weekend.

Uganda Athletics Federation boss Domenic Otuchet said 53 countries are expected to take part in the event. Otuchet explained that Kololo was chosen because it meets all international cross-country requirements.

National XC team:

Senior: Men 12km:

Potien Ntawuyirushintege [NAS], Leonidas Baganizi [NAS], Sept Nshumbusho [NAS] Godfrey Rutayisire [APR], Noel Hitimana [APR]

Women 8km:

Clementine Mukandanga [NAS], Fortune Manirafasha [NAS], Emilienne Muragijimana [NAS], Pelagie Musengimana [APR] and Blandine Uwamariya [Rulindo]

Junior Boys 8km:

David Gakuru [NAS], Theophile Bigirimana [NAS], Jean Bosco Niyodusenga [Kamonyi], Eric Turikunkiko [VJN] and Jean Marie Vianney Myasiro[MC].

Girls 6km:

Marthe Yankurije [Nyamasheke], Rosette Twambazimana [NAS], Cynthia Mahoro [NAS], Angelique Tuyishimire [VJN] and Claudine Nyiransengiyumva